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About the Book
Author: J.L. McCreedy
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Number of Pages: 260
Synopsis: When Liberty Frye wakes up on her eleventh birthday, nothing about it feels particularly celebratory. As if being a witch in training isn’t confusing enough, her mother’s mysterious illness has grown worse overnight and her best-friend-turned-foster-sister Ginny is driving her crazy.
Then there’s the matter of Uncle Frank’s new invention that he has brought to her surprise party. When Libby’s freaky powers accidentally activate it, she and her unsuspecting birthday party guests are transported into an ocean of darkness. Literally. Soon, they’re running – or rather, sailing – for their lives, chasing after clues while dodging angry islanders and makeshift spells gone awry.
To save herself and everyone she cares about, Libby knows she must confront the dark forces bent on determining their fate. But what she doesn’t know is … how?
My Review:
Liberty Frye is a eleven year old girl from an amazing family. The latest addition in a maternal bloodline of witches, poor Liberty is finding dealing with her inherited powers to be not so easy. She feels lonely and isolated as she struggles to understand them. Meanwhile, she is dealing with a new sister, who used to be her best friend, now she just seems to be the perfect example of everything Liberty can’t seem to achieve. Her mother is also very sick and Liberty can’t help but think that it has something to do with her.
For her birthday her uncle Frank takes the girls on a cruise of Biloxi Bay, while Liberty’s parents prepare for her birthday. When out on the water Frank demonstrates his new invention, unexpected consequences ensue and the group find themselves somewhere in South Pacific or is it some time? What follows is a rollicking adventure with island natives, dread pirates and maybe even an old enemy.
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For a middle grade adventure this story is remarkably well developed. Kudos to author for not writing down to her audience. Not only does Libby have to deal with mastering, or not quite mastering, her new found powers, but she is also dealing with struggles that come with simply being an eleven year old girl; like bra shopping, body changes, and changing relationships with her friends and within her family. It is nice to see a fantasy story where young women will be able to see themselves in the characters.
As a character she is spunky and persistent. She could do with a dose of self esteem, but then what adolescent couldn’t. The characters around her are an eclectic bunch including a feisty AI robot named Esmerelda, invented by her slightly scatterbrained-genius Uncle Frank, Uncle Frank’s mostly skeptical sailing buddy Sal and Liberty’s foster sister Ginny.
This is a book for girls that isn’t too girly. I especially enjoyed the nod to Spiderman and the famous “with great powers come great responsibilities,” mantra. It is concept that applies so well across genders and generations.
All in all this a fun adventure. It is the second volume in the series and while it would have been nice to have read the first book, because it seems as if it also is a stellar adventure, not having done so didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this read at all. This book began with a warning to the reader to proceed with caution, that adventure, danger and dark mysteries of magic will be forthcoming and the story delivers. I am looking forward to more adventures with Libby and her crew.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Available for Pre-Order on Amazon. 
About the Author: J.L. McCreedy
Liberty Frye and the Witches of Hessen (Book 1)
Liberty Frye and the Sails of Fate (Book 2)
The Orphan of Torundi
My blog/website: TongaTime.com
Instagram: JL_McCreedy
Twitter: @JLMcCreedy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13516587-liberty-frye-and-the-witches-of-hessen
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Thank you for this beautiful review of Liberty Frye and the Sails of Fate. I am so happy you enjoyed the book. Glad to have you on the tour!
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